The birth of a baby can evoke a range of strong emotions for both parents, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. Yet, it can also lead to something unexpected: Depression.
Many women enter this stage with no or little knowledge. Since the wedding, the only thing we hear is, "When are you having children?", but no one tells us what it entails. The only thing we know is that there are lovely images and stories on social media of pregnant women after birth and how they reshape their bodies and live in harmony with themselves, their partner and their baby.
But there aren't many discussions, images, memories, or written records of what happens in reality right after delivery. It is not necessarily beautiful or appealing. And many first-time mothers have no idea what they're putting themselves into, how their bodies will alter, and how they may never completely "go back" to their pre-pregnancy lives.
Aside from the challenges that a mother faces after delivering, postpartum blues, which usually include mood swings, crying episodes, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping, is one of these challenges that both partners must face and overcome. It usually starts two to three days after delivery and can last up to two weeks, disrupting mom's life and the couple’s life. In addition, some moms suffer from a more serious condition known as postpartum depression. Postpartum psychosis is an uncommon serious mood disorder that can develop after childbirth.
You should understand that postpartum depression is neither a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's merely a consequence of childbirth. Getting therapy may assist the mom and the couple to manage together the symptoms and reconnect.
In this episode, Diala Itani, Counselor in Mental Health, will share her professional experience with us to talk about the signs and symptoms that women might encounter after childbirth and encourage them to seek aid for support during this journey.
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